MLB Player News

At this point, someone should probably encase Mason Miller in bubble wrap. It’s been a brutal start to the season for elite closers, with Duran the latest to hit the injured list. The hard-throwing 28-year-old stopper is likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario, after logging five saves to accompany a microscopic 1.35 ERA across 6 2/3 innings of work this season. There should be an official timeline from the Phillies at some point soon. Orion Kerkering has the stuff to close games and José Alvarado’s previous closing experience make him a potential option in certain matchups. However, Brad Keller is the logical choice to take over the ninth inning in Philadelphia, which makes him worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy leagues.

Hassell was outrighted off the 40-man roster on Sunday, so he won’t cost a 40-man roster spot for the Pirates. He’s hit just .215/.304/.289 with two homers in 258 plate appearances at Triple-A Rochester. The Pirates will likely see if some time in Indianapolis will bring his bat back to life.

Expect him to be back in the starting lineup tonight. Since Semien is hitting .214/.271/.341 with nine homers and six stolen bases in 318 plate appearances, he doesn’t necessarily need to be started in any fantasy leagues. Hopefully the time off will get him hitting better down the stretch.

He was previously designated for assignment on June 24 and stayed with the Mets in Syracuse. The Tigers designated Short for assignment in early June and lost him to the Mets on waivers. The 31-year-old will get the chance to elect free agency again if he clears.

The Rangers will open with Cal Quantrill and MacKenzie Gore against the Braves on Friday and Saturday, leaving a TBA slot open for DeGrom on Sunday. DeGrom missed his last start before the All-Star break with what was announced as a “mild left glute strain.” There’s no reason to think that he’s going to go on IL over this yet, and DeGrom did tell reporters that he was going to throw off the mound in Atlanta. It’s possible he’s pushed back beyond Sunday.

“Some teams” had increasingly leaned upon AI to help shape in-game strategy, which explains why your team’s favorite manager keeps going to that one reliever you don’t like. The Athletic’s Eno Sarris believes “pitch-calling from the dugout may be at the center of this battle, and is one of the usages the league appears to be targeting,” the practice lead by the Marlins this year has now spread to as many as six other teams. MLB had let teams know in a memo issued on June 11, to give teams a month of leeway before adopting the ban.

The Marlins will open the second half with Alcantara on Friday, Max Meyer on Saturday, and Eury Pérez on Sunday. No major surprises here as these are the three main starters for the Marlins. All three of them are worthy starters in 12-team leagues coming out of the break.

Same. Roberts lead with saying he expects Smith back this year, but this is not exactly a ringing endorsement that it will be any time soon. Smith has been swinging, but The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya describes his recovery as “stagnant.” Dalton Rushing figures to remain the Dodgers’ main catcher going forward and should be rostered in most leagues at this point.

He’s progressing slowly, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, and is trying to clear each step without his back flaring up. Glasnow looks likely to be out for quite a bit longer given how slow he’s been to start throwing. An August return is probably on the table, but it might be mid-to-late August at this point.

Hernández only played a game and change after coming off the injured list in late May from a surgically repaired elbow. The versatile utility man figures to have little fantasy value, but will be a boost for the Dodgers if he can get back on the field.

The Brewers will lead off the second half of the season with Henderson on Friday, Shane Drohan on Saturday, and Robert Gasser on Sunday against the Marlins. Henderson was 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over the first half while missing some time due to a back strain. He’ll make for a nice 12-team starter on Friday.